• Resources Recycling
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.49-54
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• 2016

In this study, zircon sand is separated into zirconia and silica by using the Ar-$H_2$ arc plasma refining. And then silica is removed from it by the microwave leaching method to produce a high pure zirconia. Plasma melting consist of two sequential processes; reduction process with Ar gas only followed by refining process with Ar-$H_2$ gas. After cooling in chamber. The solid phase obtained at $240^{\circ}C$ were found to be composed of 20% sulfuric acid solution. The solution was used as a leaching solution with microwave irradiation to obtain a high purity zirconia.